Maintaining return pumps while dosing kalk

[rogersb]

I've always had issues with skimmer pumps and return pumps getting so much build up they stop working. Probably twice a year I clean my pumps but if I get 2 years from one I call that pretty good. My old skimmer ran sedra pumps, new one runs something different. My return pump is currently a marineland 5500.

My previous tank had an absolute beast of an external pump and I never really ran into issues. Probably because it was so rugged. Should I be running something more rugged to get more life?

 

[Halal Hotdog]

I dose kalk as well, and where you dose makes a big difference. What I do is dose on the opposite side of the sump, so it get diluted a bit by the time it makes it to my pumps. I also carbon dose with vinegar (~60mL/day), which I dose right at the pump side. This significantly helps, because there is an infusion of low pH solution to make sure everything is running well.

 

[BeejReef]

same as ^
I have a cheap china ph that my kalk dose falls directly into and return pump hasn't shown precip. I don't have a skimmer.